In Memory of...

We want to provide you with a place to
remember your beloved companions. Losing a lifelong feline friend is
difficult, but knowing that others understand your grief is a great comfort. Be
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Grieving
the loss of a beloved animal companion is never easy.
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From Brianna and Hemingway Beyond the Rainbow Bridge

Brianna, letís go see if we have any messages by
the Rainbow Bridge from our friends at the Pat Brody
Shelter.

Ok Hemingway, that
sounds like a great idea.

A short while later Ė Oh my goodness, will you look
at this! We have tons of
thoughts and messages from our friends who were sorry to hear of our
demise. Hereís one “I canít
believe theyíre gone” or this one “Brianna was so good for Hemingway,
she gave him confidence that helped him to be more social” and “I miss
my hugs from Brianna.” Oh thereís more but it could take us to eternity
to read them all. Um
Hemingway, we have to eternity to read them all.Thatís right Brianna, we do.

Hemingway, do you remember what you were like when
you first came to the shelter? I sure do. I was a
mess from being out on the streets and I was scared of everything. One of the volunteers found me cowering outside and she let me
roam the floors in Room 1 so I could eat in peace. Eventually, I found my way into the kitchen and saw a beautiful,
sleek, black kitty that was in desperate need of a buddy. That was you, Brianna, and you really worked your magic on me and
I realized that I finally found a friend. Next thing I knew, people were petting me without me being scared
and I actually liked it. Then, to my disbelief, I let people pick me up. Do you remember how I used to strut around the kitchen? Well, someone had to be the man of the house or should I say
kitchen. Thanks Brianna, see
what a good friend can do?

Well Hemingway, my beginnings werenít that great
either. My mom drank some
toxic water after Hurricane Katrina passed by and it really affected my
health. The other kittens in
my litter were fine but it had a bad effect on me. We were rescued and shipped up north to the Brody Shelter which
turned out to be a godsend.
Everyone was always trying to adopt me because I was just so darn
loveable but they were refused because of all the special care I needed. I used to love to hold down the warm bedding fresh out of the
dryer. If it was cold
outside, then Iíd get under the blankets and pop out my little face to
amuse everyone. If you gave
into my charms and held me then Iíd give you one of my special hugs. The volunteers are still talking about the hugs I used to give
them. Maybe I can send down
one of my memories to a cat at the shelter now so they can give hugs. Itís worth a try. My
time on earth was short but I enjoyed it to the fullest. I always had more than my share of love and attention and I never
had to want for anything.
The best part was having you for a friend, Hemingway, and now we can
always be together.

We really did suffer a lot before we passed away
and it really broke our friendsí hearts to see us in pain. Yeah Brianna, the FIV took over in me and I remember you had
stomatitis and had trouble eating. Fortunately, we are not in pain any more.

So, should we ask our friends one more favor before
we sign off? I think that
would be ok to do.We know
that there are a few shy cats/kittens at the shelter that really, really
need your help. Oh, they may
not let you pick them up, but donít be afraid to talk to them gently,
lightly touching their paw at first, petting them when you can and
giving them a treat when you see them. If everyone does that, who knows, they can end up being friendly
like Hemingway was before he passed away.

That wraps it up, letís play. So long everyone. Meow, Meow. I can beat you over the bridge; no way Iím faster than you . . .
neener, neener, neener.